Monday 04 July 2022 | 11

‘Macellum’ farmers’ market: open letter to the town of Metz

‘Macellum’ farmers’ market: open letter to the town of Metz

Mis à jour le 02 September 2022

Alerted to the holding of a ‘Macellum’ farmers’ market on 25 and 26 June 2022 in the Metz esplanade gardens, we sent this letter to the Mayor of the town, François Grosdidier.

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Dear Mayor,

Our Association has been alerted to the holding of a ‘Macellum’ farmers’ market on 25 and 26 June 2022 in the Metz esplanade gardens.

In our capacity as an association whose main purpose is to protect and defend animals and the environment, we are asking with this letter if you would be willing to look into our arguments carefully.

Several domestic animals (rabbits, pigeons, cows, donkeys, hens) have been displayed to visitors in enclosures or cages. This set-up poses a problem not only concerning the welfare of the animals but also regarding the message that it conveys.

This environment is totally unsuitable for the animals’ welfare. Displayed to be seen and touched by everyone, the animals have no way of escaping from the noise and bustle. Moreover, the animals kept in cages, such as rabbits, can be constantly bothered by visitors. The hens are kept in individual cages without a perch or any environmental enrichment.

Furthermore, this display, mainly aimed towards children, is the opposite of educational. What example does this give to young generations? The animals are considered as simple objects that we can touch and bother without worrying about their wishes and needs. This reification of animals conflicts, on numerous aspects, with the education of future generations to be more respectful of their environment and the individuals with which they share it.

Such a situation certainly tarnishes the image of Metz, which also has an undeniable cultural significance. The celebration of traditions and local products must not happen to the detriment of respect for animals. For all of these reasons, we are asking you to renounce the exhibition of animals in such conditions in future by making more educational displays a priority.

We thank you for your attention to this letter and ask that you accept our highest consideration, Mr Mayor.

Muriel Arnal
Founding President of One Voice

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

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Comments 11

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trochu | Thursday 21 September 2023

HONTEUX ET SCANDALEUX ! franchement ces maires sont tout sauf intelligents, car le fait de cautionner et autoriser de tels marchés ignobles dans lesquels les animaux sont parqués, enfermés dans des cages étroites, dans lesquels les animaux sont ridiculisés et humiliés alors qu'ils sont des êtres vivants, tous et dotés d'une très grande sensibilité et intelligence, tous ces marchés sont à vomir et doivent être interdits définitivement. Et c'est à se demander si les "humains" ont encore un cœur, une conscience, des émotions et sensibilité ou s'ils sont devenus encore plus vides de toutes ces belles qualités qui devraient habiter tout humain et c'est inquiétant car où s'arrêtera la cruauté envers les animaux, la méchanceté envers eux et l'indifférence totale? Vraiment ça fait très mal et c'est bouleversant de voir tout cela.

mameu61 | Tuesday 13 September 2022

C'est épouvantable de constater qu'aujourd'hui encore perdurent des façons de faire rigoler le public ou de montrer des animaux dans des cages exigües.
J'aime les éléphants, les singes, les tortues... mais je les regarde soit à la télé soit sur l'ordi. Ça me va très bien (à la maison ce sont 7 chats, 4 chiens et 4 poules) donc j'ai de quoi m'occuper et de parler "animal".

AmbreRose78 | Tuesday 13 September 2022

C’est écœurant et inadmissible … pauvres petites bêtes !!!! STOP

Isaline | Monday 18 July 2022

N'importe quoi!!
Un peu de respect envers les animaux serait bien venu.